BOSTON – The dislocated right index and middle fingers injury suffered by Marcus Smart in Las Vegas should heal in time to allow the 6-foot-4-inch guard to resume basketball-related activities by “mid-August at the latest,” according to a league source.
Smart suffered the injury in the Las Vegas Summer League game against Portland when he dove for a loose ball and landed awkwardly. In addition to the dislocations, Smart also received five stitches in one of his fingers.
Currently back home in Texas, Smart is expected to return to Boston to have the stitches removed on Thursday.
A healthy Smart is vital to Boston’s quest to improve upon last season’s 40-42 record and seventh-place finish in the East.
The Celtics have made a point of getting Smart more reps at the point guard position this summer.
And to Smart’s credit, he has responded to playing the point guard position more which bodes well for Boston’s chances of having a better season than most outside of the franchise, anticipate.